Published: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 5:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 5:36 p.m.

A project honoring the late textile magnate, philanthropist and builder Roger Milliken's commitment to excellence and sustainability officially got off the ground Monday in midtown Manhattan.

Spartanburg-based Pacolet Milliken Enterprises Inc. broke ground on its multimillion-dollar 28-story, 470,000-square-foot office tower on the Avenue of the Americas overlooking New York City's hip Bryant Park and Public Library.

Pacolet Milliken, a offshoot of textile giant Milliken & Co. formed in 2007 to pursue and preserve high-quality real estate assets, has partnered with the development firm Hines and equity partner J.P. Morgan Chase in the venture.

“Private companies, unlike public ones, have the privilege of patience,” said Rick Webel, president of Pacolet Milliken. “We think that brings the obligation of setting the bar pretty high … We are very excited about this project.”

The tower, named 7 Bryant Park, will be on a piece of property that Milliken has owned since the 1950s. It will replace a demolished 190,000-square-foot building that housed the company's worldwide marketing headquarters until the late 1990s.

Designed by renowned architect Henry Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the state-of-the-art tower will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certified. A unique feature of the building will be a concave sculptural detail at the entrance that cuts into the building in an hourglass shape, creating unique feature windows on every floor.

The company said it expects the building will be occupied by the fourth quarter of 2014.

“On behalf of the City of New York, I am proud to welcome 7 Bryant Park to our roster of best-in-class buildings,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg during a ceremony. “With its exceptional development team and outstanding design, the property will undoubtedly join the ranks of midtown Manhattan's iconic landmarks.”

Webel said the project is a statement about his company's mission and what it plans to do in South Carolina and the Upstate.

That mission encompasses three principles established under Roger Milliken's leadership: owning or building very high-quality assets that have enduring value, being at the front of the pack in environmental and social responsibility, and being the best partner and having the best partners.

“It reflects his values,” said Webel. “He didn't try to chain the future down. He freed people to interpret the message. Take the land that is being used inland port (in Greer) for example. He said, ‘After I'm gone, people will figure it out. It's my obligation to give them the opportunity (by giving the land).'”

According to the company, the tower will have 10-foot-high finished ceilings, full-height clear vision glass, two spacious outdoor terraces on the tenth floor, as well as multiple top-floor opportunities.

A floating stainless steel disc about 46 feet in diameter will be suspended over the corner entrance at 40th Street, serving as a signature architectural feature and several other uses.

On Thursday, Pacolet Milliken is expected to make an announcement for the company's 101-year-old public utility Lockhart Power.

<p>A project honoring the late textile magnate, philanthropist and builder Roger Milliken's commitment to excellence and sustainability officially got off the ground Monday in midtown Manhattan.</p><p>Spartanburg-based Pacolet Milliken Enterprises Inc. broke ground on its multimillion-dollar 28-story, 470,000-square-foot office tower on the Avenue of the Americas overlooking New York City's hip Bryant Park and Public Library.</p><p>Pacolet Milliken, a offshoot of textile giant Milliken & Co. formed in 2007 to pursue and preserve high-quality real estate assets, has partnered with the development firm Hines and equity partner J.P. Morgan Chase in the venture.</p><p>“Private companies, unlike public ones, have the privilege of patience,” said Rick Webel, president of Pacolet Milliken. “We think that brings the obligation of setting the bar pretty high … We are very excited about this project.”</p><p>The tower, named 7 Bryant Park, will be on a piece of property that Milliken has owned since the 1950s. It will replace a demolished 190,000-square-foot building that housed the company's worldwide marketing headquarters until the late 1990s.</p><p>Designed by renowned architect Henry Cobb of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the state-of-the-art tower will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certified. A unique feature of the building will be a concave sculptural detail at the entrance that cuts into the building in an hourglass shape, creating unique feature windows on every floor.</p><p>The company said it expects the building will be occupied by the fourth quarter of 2014.</p><p>“On behalf of the City of New York, I am proud to welcome 7 Bryant Park to our roster of best-in-class buildings,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg during a ceremony. “With its exceptional development team and outstanding design, the property will undoubtedly join the ranks of midtown Manhattan's iconic landmarks.”</p><p>Webel said the project is a statement about his company's mission and what it plans to do in South Carolina and the Upstate.</p><p>That mission encompasses three principles established under Roger Milliken's leadership: owning or building very high-quality assets that have enduring value, being at the front of the pack in environmental and social responsibility, and being the best partner and having the best partners.</p><p>“It reflects his values,” said Webel. “He didn't try to chain the future down. He freed people to interpret the message. Take the land that is being used inland port (in Greer) for example. He said, 'After I'm gone, people will figure it out. It's my obligation to give them the opportunity (by giving the land).'”</p><p>According to the company, the tower will have 10-foot-high finished ceilings, full-height clear vision glass, two spacious outdoor terraces on the tenth floor, as well as multiple top-floor opportunities.</p><p>A floating stainless steel disc about 46 feet in diameter will be suspended over the corner entrance at 40th Street, serving as a signature architectural feature and several other uses.</p><p>On Thursday, Pacolet Milliken is expected to make an announcement for the company's 101-year-old public utility Lockhart Power.</p><p>For more information, visit: www.pacoletmilliken.com.</p>